★★★★
MATHEW ST FESTIVAL 2010
SUPPLEMENT
2 NEWS
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
★★★★
MATHEW STREET FESTIVAL
THE BIG GIG: Thousands watch the Tunnel Stage from William Brown Street and St John’s Gardens
★★★★
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
NEWS 3
SIT DOWN: Two spectators at the Tunnel Stage take a seat and enjoy the music
City of music is united
Picture: GARETH JONES from St John’s Beacon
THEY came from far and near, converging on Liverpool city centre in their hundreds of thousands with one interest in common – music. Visitors to this year’s Mathew Street Festival revelled in the sunshine across seven outdoor stages with 95 bands. At the tunnel stage near to the Queensway Tunnel entrance, thousands of revellers watched from as far back as Whitechapel to enjoy the spectacle. The party atmosphere spilled into St John’s Gardens, where more music lovers crammed the grassy areas and enjoyed picnics and the sunny conditions. They enjoyed tribute performances to Duffy, Kasabian, Kings Of Leon, The Killers, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Lady Gaga. Carl Mountain, 28, of Walton, said: “I came down with my mates and we loved it. I liked the Oasis tribute band over the weekend and I liked Coldplay and the Lady Gaga tribute groups on Monday.
by JADE WRIGHT
“Every one of my mates had a great time. The festival was a great advert for the city.” Neil Graham, 46, of Halewood, said: “It was a fantastic day again. There were loads of great acts – they were exceptional. “My son was in the main crowd and he had a great time.”
Sarah Percival, 41, of Warrington, said: “Liverpool is a really beautiful city and what we saw was fantastic. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
“I really liked The Beatles tribute band on Saturday who were very Latino, particularly when they did Sexy Sadie.” Party animals got into the spirit with sombreros and face paint. Trish Barrett, 66, of Litherland, said: “I love all the families being here. It is good for children because it is a fun day out.” Jim Young, 67, who travelled from Dundee, said: “What makes the festival good are the people in the city.”
4 NEWS
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
★★★★
MATHEW STREET FESTIVAL
GIRLPOWERAT YEAH YEAH YEAH: The Mersey Beatles on the Exchange Stage
LOVE ME DO: A couple enjoy the sounds of the Mersey Beatles at the Exchange Stage
SEE MORE Even more pictures from the festival at www.liverpool echo.co.uk
I SAID FAUX, FAUX, FAUX: Amy Housewine entertains the crowd at Williamson Square
Pu
HERE COMES THE SUNFLOWER: This man and woman find they’ve just got to dance!
SISTERS were doing it for themselves at the Female Stage in Williamson Square on Bank Holiday Monday. It featured, among others, Merseyside all-girl group Cocabelles, Amy Housewine’s Tribute To Amy Winehouse and Liverpool blues legend Connie Lush. The latter brought a large fan base flocking to see her, but thankfully the fountains were turned off to allow the crowds more space to dance. Bars, restaurants and cafes nearby were brimming with revellers keen to enjoy the city centre in the sunshine. Firefighter David Theobald, 47, of Birkenhead, said: “I am amazed at how well behaved the crowds are. It is nice to see the
by JADE WRIGHT city centre full of people enjoying themselves. The organisation of the event is really good too – there are lots of bins around and plenty of plastic cups available from stewards.” Joan Williams, of Everton, has come down to the Mathew Street festival with her husband and friends since the event started, so came prepared with camping chairs. She said: “Every year we have been coming down and we love it. We came here at 2pm to see Connie Lush – we’ll stay here for the next act, then we’ll move around.”
Her friend Marie added: “It is great this event is held because it brings tourists into the city and they appreciate what Liverpool has to offer. “I don’t think the festival is televised enough. My husband and I are always promoting the event when we go to football matches and on holiday.
ba
On Sunday, Williamson Square hosted the new and original bands’ stage. Showcasing the best up-and-coming Merseyside talent, it was hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Dave Monks. He said: “It has been fantastic. I have not seen anything like this since the new
on
“To us, it seems not many people outside the region know about it.”
so
W ho B th re
in in
ba do
★★★★
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
NEWS 5
TFEMALESTAGE LOUD AND PROUD: Revellers at the Kazabian set on the Tunnel Stage
Picture: GARETH JONES/GRJ300810MATHEWST
WIGGING OUT: We assume these are wigs. If not we recommend a trip to one of the many hairdressers who advertise in the ECHO
Pictures: GAVIN TRAFFORD
urchase: www.merseyshop.com/buyaphoto, 0845 300 3021
ands’ stage was down by the Pier Head. “The bands have been great – we had ome great local talent on.” Bands including The Temps, The Bo Weevils, The Tea Street Band, Strawhouses, Fly With Vampires and Picture Book played to packed crowds, as soon as he initial windy weather blew over to eveal brilliant sunshine. Dave added: “We did not have a bad band n, and it showed in the crowds. “Having a stage like this – particularly n such a prominent position – makes it nto a credible music festival. “Maybe next year we could have new ands over two days – we could easily have oubled the number of Liverpool bands.”
TRIBUTE: Amy Housewine on the Williamson Square stage
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW: One specs wearer goes for the understated look. She fails, obviously
6 NEWS
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
★★★★
MATHEW STREET FESTIVAL
THE FAMILY WAY: Entertainment on the floating stage at Albert Dock. Right: One of Sgt Pepper’s band hands out Beatles Story flags
Pictures: DAVE EVANS
Family fun at Albert Dock T
ROCK AROUND THE DOCK: Old and young watch the bands on the floating family stage at Albert Dock
HE floating Family Stage at Liverpool’s Albert Dock was a splashing success on Bank Holiday Monday. A host of live entertainment included a sing-a-long of classic Beatles track Help! The Merseycats charity performed the famous sounds of the Merseybeat era with four separate bands and there were shows from the finalists from Juice FM’s Undiscovered competition. Betty Mullin, 74, of Thornton, went along to her first Mathew Street festival with her husband, daughter and son-in-law. She said: “There is something for every age range to enjoy – my first Mathew Street festival has been most enjoyable and it helps we have had a day of summer.” Daughter Sue Mullin, 38, of Thornton, added: “It is my dad’s first rock concert – he is only 81! It has been an amazing day and Albert Dock offered a more relaxed way to see the bands at the Mathew Street festival.” Maureen and Mark Jones, of Fazakerley, came to Albert Dock
by JADE WRIGHT with their children Becky, 14, and Alfie, eight. Maureen said: “We have been to the Mathew Street festival every year for 14 years – it just gets better every year. “We have been to the stages in town and got down to the dock – it is much more relaxing to be able to sit in the sun and watch the bands and soak up the atmosphere. You could be anywhere in the world.” Businesses at Albert Dock reported they were booming. Guy Lawrenson, general manager of What’s Cooking restaurant, said: “The Family Stage brought an amazing animation to the dock. The restaurant has been full all weekend and kids of all ages have enjoyed our face-painters and balloons.” Becky Hallwood, manager of Nauticalia gift shop, added: “There was an amazing fun-filled atmosphere. Halfway through the day we had already doubled our
visitor figures from last year. “It is a great family day out, the sun is shining and there is no better place to be enjoying the live music.” Norma Lyons, owner of Liverpool Pictures, said: “The dock is really alive today. I have had visitors from all over the globe, all basking in the summer sun and keen to take home a memory of the day at Albert Dock.” Merseyside bands Dirty Tricks, The Dockers and Ticket To New York played on the floating stage after winning Juice FM Undiscovered, which ran at Albert Dock across a number of weeks.
The stage was hosted by Leanne Campbell and Adam Lambert, from Juice FM.
Leanne said: “Every year something new comes to the Mathew Street festival and this year it was the floating stage at Albert Dock which was the must-see. “The bands, the fans, the atmosphere and the sunshine – long may it become a regular at the Mathew Street festival. Everyone at Juice FM is so proud to be a part of it.”
★★★★
KID ROCK: Kazabian perform to huge crowds at the Mathew Street festival with plenty in the party mood
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
NEWS 7
Picture: GARETH JONES/GRJ300810MATHEWST Purchase: www.merseyshop.com/buyaphoto, 0845 300 3021
THE ENTERTAINERS: A skiffle band performs on Mathew Street
Picture:GAVIN TRAFFORD
RUBBER SOUL: Five young lads from Liverpool, no not the Beatles, but James Houghton, Jack Power, Ryan Dutton, Ben Moores and Jake Galloway
8 NEWS
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
★★★★
MATHEW STREET FESTIVAL
HANDS UP WHO WANTS TO BE IN THE ECHO: Mathew Street festival enjoyed by thousands of music lovers
Picture: GARETH JONES/GRJ300810MA Purchase: www.merseyshop.com/buyaphoto, 0845 300 3021
. . . by Dai Owen